What DC university has unfettered access to pastoral landscapes? None, beyond American. According to alumni听Neil Kerwin, SPA/BA 鈥�71; Bront茅 Burleigh-Jones, Kogod/BS 鈥�91, Kogod/MBA 鈥�93;听补苍诲听Michael Scher, SOC/BA 鈥�08, WCL/JD 鈥�13, Kogod/MS 鈥�19鈥攁rchitects of the 18-month Airlie Vision and Action Plan鈥攖he historic Virginia estate is a key asset 鈥渄ifferentiat[ing] 麻豆破解版 from its competitors.鈥�
Alumni Neil Kerwin, Bront茅 Burleigh-Jones, and Michael Scher pose with fresh produce, all Airlie CSA offerings.
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鈥淭here鈥檚 endless opportunity rooted in Airlie,鈥� said Burleigh-Jones. 鈥淭he first time I walked on the property in 2022 as part of my review of the university鈥檚 assets, I was immediately struck by its special nature and what an incredible opportunity we had in it for our community of Eagles.鈥�
Harnessing legacy, advancing sustainability
While a donation of rural land, valued at an estimated $18.8 million, to an urban university may appear random at first glance, the Airlie Board鈥檚 decision to entrust 麻豆破解版 with the estate was no accident. Given the university鈥檚 focus on thought leadership, sustainability, and changemaking, the two entities鈥� missions meshed naturally. Today, thanks to the trailblazing leadership of Kerwin, Burleigh-Jones, and Scher, Eagles of all kinds can benefit from the bounty Airlie has to offer. To foster cross-campus connections, the trio of alumni leaders established a working group called the Airlie Visioning Team, consisting of representatives from each school, as well as faculty and staff stakeholders. This group convened regularly with the aim of bringing out the best in Airlie for years to come.
鈥淭he pandemic set back our progress,鈥� said Kerwin. 鈥淏ut the approach taken by our Visioning Team to thoughtfully weave Airlie into the DNA of 麻豆破解版 and measure our results is impressive. The Airlie Foundation Board, which I chair, is excited for the future of Airlie and 麻豆破解版 because of the amazing cross-campus partnerships developing under this plan.鈥�
Complete with a working farm, organic garden, apiary, conference center, hotel, and more, Airlie is like the region鈥檚 ultimate charcuterie board, overflowing with flavor and choice. Where should a sampler start? Visitors can enjoy everything from farm-to-table dining sessions and splendid hotel stays (Did someone say alumni discount?) to invigorating conferences and educational retreats.
There鈥檚 endless opportunity rooted in Airlie. The first time I walked on the property in 2022 as part of my review of the university鈥檚 assets, I was immediately struck by its special nature and what an incredible opportunity we had in it for our community of Eagles.
In many ways, the university seeks to preserve Airlie鈥檚 Georgian-Revival style and advance its scholarly tradition鈥攖he latter of which enticed Martin Luther King, Jr. and various senators to wander on site for meetings of the mind. It鈥檚 no coincidence, then, that the vision for Earth Day grew from this pastoral dreamscape in 1969. It is in this spirit that the university plans to advance sustainability and steward all 300-plus of Airlie鈥檚 acres for the greater community good.
鈥淲orking with the team at Airlie and my 麻豆破解版 colleagues on implementing our plan has been one of the top experiences and privileges of my career at 麻豆破解版,鈥� Scher said. 鈥淚 know that continued partnership between our Airlie Visioning Team, campus stakeholders, and the wonderful staff at Airlie will deliver results that everyone can be proud of.鈥�
A smashing debut for the Airlie CSA program
From up high, crop rows resemble colorful threads, pulled taut across the earthen fabric of听. These 20 acres鈥攖he fruit-and-vegetable patch of a 90-acre farm operation鈥攁re a testament to the power of sustainable agriculture. They also represent a unique opportunity open to members of the 麻豆破解版 community: Eagles can now reap the benefits of joining Airlie and 麻豆破解版鈥檚 community-supported agriculture (CSA) program.
Participating in CSA is a means of connecting oneself directly to nutritious food, as well as the land and hands that cultivate it. Think of signing up like securing a subscription: You pay into the startup of the program; establish yourself as a community partner, invested in the farm鈥檚 operation; then earn fresh fruits and vegetables each week in return. What鈥檚 more, you help advance community health by boosting people鈥檚 access to raw produce and promoting low-carbon, responsible agriculture.
Eagles and neighbors alike welcomed the CSA program, which launched this past summer, with open arms. Fifty subscribers signed on to help kickstart the project鈥攁 number that has since doubled for the fall cycle. What, then, is the consumers鈥� payoff? Weekly stocked treasure boxes, loaded with everything from berries and squash to broccoli and herbs. That鈥檚 fresh, locally grown goods for only $36 weekly. Some parents even opted to gift boxes to current students and their roommates. A point person simply needs to claim their food each Wednesday afternoon on the university Quad, in line with 麻豆破解版 Farmers鈥� Market. And while there is a no-refund policy, leftover boxes become direct donations to 麻豆破解版鈥檚 student food pantry,听The Market.
Although the deadline for joining the fall CSA has passed, there are still ways to show your support for this new ecofriendly endeavor.听听can be made to supply additional CSA shares to students through The Market, and you can help the university reach its spring subscriber goal of 200 by spreading the word about the program. More ways to engage with Airlie are already cooking. (Keep your eyes peeled for student-oriented activities and transportation, class and internship offerings, etc.) In the meantime, extend thanks to the alumni leaders and stakeholders steering this ship, demonstrating just how many benefits can be gleaned from a major gift. With a storied legacy like Airlie鈥檚, it鈥檚 clear each season will only bring more and more to reap.
